Protector seals



Filed June 24, 1959 Geo/ye 1.. 56/7700 INVENTOR. KM

ATTORNEY 3,023,927 PROTECTOR SEALS George L. Ehman, Pasadena, Tex. FiledJune 24, 1959, Ser. No. 822,498 2 Claims. (Cl. 220-66) This inventionrelates to sheet metal receptacles or cans and has particular referenceto a novel form of closure therefor.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved hermetically sealedcan in which the seam between the lid and the can body are soconstructed and arranged that contents of the can are uncontaminatedwhen the lid is severed by conventional can opening means.

Another object is to provide a hermetically sealed can wherein the endclosure is so formed that a cutter blade severing the lid does not comeinto contact with the contents of the can.

Still another object is to provide a can end seam comprising a foldedflange bead and a Wall portion adjacent thereto forming a seal betweenthe lid and can body and providing a blade receiving channel so that theblade of a severing tool will not come into contact with the contents ofthe can.

These and other objects will become more fully apparent from aconsideration of the following description and the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional detail showing a lid-tobody seam in oneform of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 2 but showing analternate lid-to-body seam of a can embodying the invention.

In the drawings the invention is shown embodied in a container 1comprising the can body 2 having a flange portion interfolded with aflange on the lid or cover 3 to form a seam 4 by which the lid issecured in place. The

can embodying States atent bottom closure is secured in place by asuitable seam or head 5. In the disclosed embodiment the lid 3 isflanged eripherally at and is reversely bent at 11 proximate its edgeand interfolded with body flange 12 reversely bent at 13. Theseinterfolded portions are pressed or rolled to firm the seam or bead 4 bywhich the lid 2 is held in p ace.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the lid 3 is annularly depressedclosely adjacent the bead 4 to form an inwardly extending ridge 15 onthe lid. Similarly a circumferential groove 16 is formed in the body 1just below the bead 3 and the inwardly displaced metal forms a tongue17, the inner end of which presents an annular surface 18 closelyjuxtaposed with a complemental surface 19 on the ridge 15 on the lid. Asuitable sealant 20 was initially placed upon the surface 18 or thesurface 19 or both, and thus when the lid 2 is placed in position uponthe can body 1 an annular seal is formed between the ridge 15 and thetongue 17.

It should be recognized that parts are shown greatly enlarged in FIGS. 2and 3 and thicknesses and spacing of parts are exaggerated to moreclearly illustrate the embodiments of the invention. Suflice it to saythat the wall portions 21 and 22 on the can body 1 and the lid 2 areclosely spaced sufliciently that the tip of a severing tool 23 may enterthe channel 24 formed inwardly and below the head or seam 4.

It is apparent that the severing tool 23 cannot come into contact withthe contents of the container 1. This serves a dual purpose, namely,foreign matter on the severing tool 23 is not carried to the contents ofthe can, and such tool is kept free from contact with the contents ofthe can. These features are of particular importance as they avoid anunsanitary condition from contamination by germs or other undesirablematter carried by the tool 23 and also avoid corrosion of the toolbecause of contact with contents of the container.

It is known that frequently the severing tool 23 causes minute sliversor flakes of metal to form and fall into the contents of the can. *Inthis invention such slivers or flakes fall into the channel 23 and tendto remain therein as the contents are removed from the can 1. Tofacilitate retention of such slivers or other undesirable particles asmay enter the channel 24, a tacky material 25 may be placed within andform a coat upon the bottom and sidewall of the channel.

The operation and utility of the structure of the disclosed embodimentseem apparent but by way of amplification it is pointed out that the canbody 2 and the lid 3 are initially provided with the tongue 17 and ridge15, respectively, and with flanged edges which interfit when the lid isplaced upon the can body preliminary to interfolding in the conventionalmanner to formthe bead 4. Likewise, the sealant 20 was applied previousto closure of the container so that a seal inwardly from the bead 4 isproduced when closure is effected.

The modification shown in FIG. 3 is similar to that of FIG. 2 exceptthat the groove 16' extends upwardly and inwardly a sufficient distancethat the end surface 18 on the tongue 17 is juxtaposed to the innersurface 19 on the bead 15' on the lid 3. The sealant 20 interposedbetween these surfaces forms the seal inwardly from the bead 4 andthereby forms the channel 24 into which the severing tool 23 enters asthe lid is cut. After the cutting or severing tool has performed itsfunction the severed portion of the lid may be removed whereby access ishad to the contents of the can.

It is to be noted that the disclosed structure is such that aconventional end-cutting can opener may be used with the invention. Thatis to say the severing tool 23 incises the lid or cover 3 adjacent theseam 4. 'If desired, as is common the severing tool may also beinstrumental in folding down alongside the wall 21 or 21' the narrow rimof metal 25 outwardly from the incision produced by tool 23.

Broadly the invention comprehends a closure for hermetically sealedcontainers, such closure being so constructed and arranged as to preventcontamination of contents of the container when the lid is severed forremoval from the container.

The invention claimed is:

1. A sheet metal container for comestibles comprising a one-piece bodymember having an end flange, a cover member having a peripheral flange,said flanges being interfolded to form a seam between the members, aninwardly formed annular ridge of metal on each of said members, saidannular ridges being closely spaced from said seam, extendingsubstantially normal to the body and cover members in which they areformed and having at their innermost portions annular, complementalsurfaces which move into sealing engagement when said seam is formed,thereby providing inner and outer seals and an intermediate free spaceof substantially rectangular cross-section adapted to be entered by thecutting blade of a conventional can opener during the opening operation.

2. A sheet metal container for comestibles comprising a one-piece bodymember having an end flange, a cover member having a peripheral flange,said flanges being interfolded to form a seam between the members, aninwardly formed annular ridge of metal on each of said members, saidannular ridges being closely spaced from said seam, extendingsubstantially normal to the body and cover members in which they areformed and having at their innermost portions opposed, annularcomplemental surfaces, and a sealant interposed between saidcomplemental surfaces forming a seal therebetween when the 10 423 39cover is moved to closure position and said seam is formed, therebyforming inner and outer seals and an intermediate free space ofsubstantially rectangular crosssection adapted to be entered by thecutting blade of a conventional can opener during the opening operation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS KarlJan. 14, 1936 Socke Oct. 7, 1947

